Gay Stockholm

Gay Stockholm

Stockholm’s men — tall and muscular in stature, endowed with meticulously defined jaw lines, and baby soft blond hair — will take your breath away. They seem to grace every corner of the regal city, giving new meaning to the slogan, “Take a liking to a Viking.” Stockholm, one of the world's most beautiful capitals, is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, with handsome buildings, green parks, and water all around -- by far the most pristine of all Scandinavian cities. On every corner there’s another fairy tale setting, and perhaps another Prince Charming.

Spring’s the time when the layers come off in tandem with the rise of the perpetual sun. From May to September, you can watch the gladiators jogging over the bridges that connect the vast archipelago and lose yourself in long ambles through the gingerbread streets of Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town). By day, visitors and locals are spoiled for choice, with charming boat rides through the archipelago, countless picnic spots through the “European Green Capital” and visits to the city’s first-class attractions: the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), the Vasamuseet (Royal Warship), the open-air Skansen Museum, the National Museum of Art and Carl Milles’ sculpture opus, Millesgarden.

When the weather warms up, the Stockholm party scene rages seven nights a week. The gay community here is out, loud, and proud. Stockholm Pride, a week of spirited partying, is usually held at the end of July and the beginning of August.

Getting here

Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport is about 26 miles from the city. The Arlanda Express high-speed train service departs every every 15 minutes from two airport stations: Arlanda South (Terminals 2, 3 and 4) and Arlanda North (Terminal 5) Tracks 1 and 2, to arrive in 20 minutes at Stockholm Central Station. There are also buses and taxis available.

Getting around

Stockholm has an excellent public transportation system. The subway and buses can get you anywhere you want to go, and tickets between the two are interchangeable. See the SL website for details in English. To do as the locals do, bike around the city, this is a city made for it. See Stockholm City Bikes.

Many branches of the country’s biggest banks now keep no cash on hand, but ATMs can still be found in most the usual places. Choosing to be charged in the local (SEK) currency when using the ATM usually costs less than selecting the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) option - ask your own bank before you go - and inform them of your travel plans, to minimize potential problems with both debit and credit card transactions.

Media and resources

QX is the Swedish gay magazine, printed in Swedish but with a lot of English, especially on their website where they have good listings for all the Scandinavian countries.

RFSL, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer rights, is a non-profit community services organization with activities that include lectures, café nights, pride celebrations and workshops.

Swedish alcohol licensing laws require many bars to serve food. Several places go the extra mlle to make it good quality while they're at it. Some clubs admit those 18-up but others bar anyone under 23 --check ahead on club websites (follow our links).

Chokladkoppen (Stortorget 18), gay-popular cafe/bar with outdoor seating at the heart of Old Town, known for delicious hot chocolate, coffees and snacks, hot meals and sandwiches. Local information, gay party flyers, and gay give-away magazines.

Clean Group sponsors LGBTQ dance parties featuring international DJs, including Guldrummet at Club Backdoor in Johanneshov/ Southern Stockholm. See their website for upcoming dates.